[14] New bill prepared in Turkey enables Turkish PM and Ministers to
block Internet without a court ruling

[16] Turkey and Qatar agree to form cooperation council to enhance
bilateral tie

[01] Erdogan's message on energy issue; "Turkey will continue until the
end to defend the rights of the TRNC"

Under the title: "We will carry out efforts to use natural gas as a mean
for peace", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.01.15) report on
statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has said that
"Turkey will continue until the end to defend the rights of the TRNC
against the Greek Cypriot side's unjust and intransigent stance".

Speaking at the Energy Market Summit in Ankara, Erdogan added that they
will not make any concessions from their policy towards this issue and
added that they will continue to show all necessary efforts in order to
use oil and natural gas as means that will bring peace and prosperity
to the region.

Stating that all benefits to be derived from energy resources should be
used as a source for achieving peace and prosperity and not conflict or
destruction, Erdogan said that Ankara is using its entire means to play a
constructive role on the issue. "We are prioritizing this in all projects
we are participating in and planning to participate in", Erdogan stressed.

AK

[02] Nami: By keeping alive our political will, we show to the world
that we are sincere for a solution

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.01.15) reports that self-styled
minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami claimed that by keeping alive
their political will for the Cyprus settlement, they have gained a lot
of things and showed to the world that they are sincere.

During a television programme at the Turkish Cypriot private channel
Kibris TV yesterday, Nami said that the Cyprus talks are not the only
issue of the "foreign ministry", but they make great efforts to lift
the reportedly isolations. He added that this period they are carrying
out meetings with the Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Trade and Industry
particularly on the issue of halloumi/ hellim and on the other hand they
are trying to increase the number of their representatives abroad.

Nami also said that they are constantly in a close dialogue with Turkey,
adding: "We have parallel contacts and cooperation with every Ministry
in Turkey".

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (21.01.15-online in English)
reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergun Olgun in statements
to the paper yesterday regarding the recent statements on the direct
trade issue, said that he was not unhopeful about the matter.

Olgun explained that the Direct Trade Regulation (DTR) would not be bound
to any proposal or precondition and argued that it was a regulation which
brought to an end the "injustice" against the Turkish Cypriots. "Therefore
it would be insolent to try and tie this issue with something else",
Olgun alleged.

Noting that the UNFICYP report would be discussed on the 26th of January,
Olgun referred to the paragraph 36 with regards to the so-called
isolations of the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation talks, he said that the Turkish
Cypriot side is still at the table despite the fact that the Greek
Cypriot side has left the table and expressed his hope that the Greek
Cypriots will return to the table with no preconditions.

Stating that the place for a solution is at the table, he added it was
important that the sides had widened their areas of cooperation in order
to give the negotiations some momentum. He added that it was of a great
importance the fact that a balance between the two sides was achieved
before a solution so that a sustainable and viable agreement is reached.

[04] Ertug: The Turkish Cypriots have the right to trade directly with
the EU countries

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (21.01.15) reports that the self-styled
presidential spokesman Osman Ertug claimed that the Turkish Cypriots
should be able to trade directly under equal conditions with the EU from
the occupied port of Famagusta and that they expect from the EU to allow
the Turkish Cypriots to trade directly with the EU and to remove the
"obstacles" imposed by the Greek Cypriots.

Replying to a question by the "Turkish Cypriot news agency ? TAK"
regarding the statements made by the Cyprus Government Spokesman Nikos
Christodoulides on the issue of the direct trade regulation, Ertug claimed
that the Turkish Cypriots have the right to make direct trade with the EU
member countries. He alleged: "Direct Trade is our right. The expectation
of a compensation from us in exchange of this and to demand the fenced
off town of Varosha, which is part of the comprehensive solution,
resembles the shuffle of apples and pears."

Recalling that the Direct Trade Regulation was one of the three
regulations, which were prepared after the Annan referendum in 2004 in
order to lift the "isolations" imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, Ertug
said that the other two regulations were the Financial Aid Regulation
and the Green Line Regulation. He added that the other two regulations
are being implemented despite some deficiencies, but the Direct Trade
Regulation is being prevented by the Greek Cypriot side. Ertug considers
that the EU is responsible to remove this obstacle, adding that they
have a moral obligation to the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side to open the occupied
port of Famagusta under the EU control, in which they are already members,
Ertug said that it is not possible to see it as a serious proposal. He
added that "the port of Famagusta has always been open".

[05] Statements by Akinci and Ozersay on the opening of the fenced off
town of Varosha

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (21.01.15) reports that both independent
candidates Mustafa Akinci and Kudret Ozersay for the upcoming
"presidential elections" are in favour of the opening of the fenced town
off Varosha but with different preconditions.

During a program on Turkish Cypriot private channel Kibris TV, Akinci said
that he proposes the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha under the
supervision/control of the UN for the benefit of both communities. He
added that in case he is elected "president" he will seek a compromise
in order to safeguard direct flights from the occupied airport of Tymbou
and direct trade from the occupied port of Famagusta in exchange for the
opening of the fenced off town of Varosha. Akinci noted that his aim,
in case of being elected, is to reflect the factual will of the Turkish
Cypriot community on the negotiating table and in any other platform.

On the same issue, Ozersay, during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot
Constructors Union, said that the fenced off town of Varosha should be
opened under Turkish Cypriot administration, adding that this step will
have a positive reflection to the economy.

Ozersay said: "I believe that the fenced off town of Varosha should
be opened under Turkish Cypriot administration", claiming that they
can take a step on this issue without waiting for a solution if only
they knew that they can depend on Greek Cypriot side's will to take a
step further; as it happened to the Cyprus talks, although they have
discussed this issue several times with the Greek Cypriot side as part
of certain proposals, they could not agree on it. He also said that he
is determined to take a step on this issue, adding that no one can show
political leadership with the concept "stay out of trouble". He claimed
that the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha to its legal owners
under Turkish Cypriot administration may be the reason to break the
stagnation of the current situation.

[06] Cicek protested against his Iraqi counterpart for the occupation
regime's title in the OIC

Under the front-page title: "Cicek expostulated Iraq", Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris Postasi (21.01.15) reports that the Speaker of Turkey's
Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek, in statements during the meeting of
the 10th Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States,
protested against the Iraqi Speaker of the Assembly Selim Cuburi who is
visiting Turkey to attend the meeting.

According to the paper, Cicek expostulated Iraq for the Iraqi Speaker's
efforts during last September to support the efforts of Egypt to remove
the title "Cyprus Turkish State" from the OIC.

Cicek in his protest against the Iraqi Speaker said: "We found it odd the
reason why you support this stance. We want your stance to be friendly
to the TRNC".

Replying to Cicek's words, Cumburi said: "The Cyprus problem is
complicated. We should focus in depth towards this issue in order for
these complications to be overcome".

AK

[07] A "parliamentary delegation" to carry out contacts in Brussels next
week on the Direct Trade Regulation and the EP's draft report on Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.01.15) reports on statements by
Armagan Candan, so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party-United
Forces (CTP-BG) who has stated that a "parliamentary delegation" from
the Turkish Cypriot side will go to Brussels next week in order to carry
out contacts concerning the references about Cyprus at the 2014 European
Parliament's report on Turkey and the Direct Trade Regulation.

AK

[08] Siber evaluates to illegal Bayrak the Cyprus problem and the
halloumi/hellim issue

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.01.15) reports that the
"speaker" of the so-called assembly and "presidential candidate" with
the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces, Sibel Siber evaluated to
illegal Bayrak television the Cyprus problem as well as her "work"
at the so-called parliament and the halloumi/hellim issue.

Referring to the halloumi issue, Siber said that the UN Secretary
General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide launched an
initiative at the European Commission on the issue of the registration
of hellim as a result of the letter sent to the President of the European
Commission.

"If the Greek Cypriot side's application is accepted as it is, this will
mean the end for us. We will be entirely cut off from the production
and it will be a big shock for our economy. For this reason, we cannot
sit and wait", Sibel said.

Sibel said also that they will continue their efforts towards expressing
the "rightfulness" of the Turkish Cypriot "people" and defending their
rights at every platform.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Siber said that her aim is to be the
leader that will sign the solution which will defend the rights of the
"people" and stressed the need for a "clear and solution focused policy"
to be followed.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.01.15) reports that the
occupation regime participates to "CMT Stuttgart 2015" tourism fair with
the participation of 90 countries, which is taking place in Stuttgart,
Germany between January 17-25.

According to a statement issued by the so-called "deputy prime ministry,
ministry of economy, tourism, culture and sport", the "TRNC" is
represented at the fair by "officials" of the tourism sector.

The occupation regime attends the fair with its own stand writes the
paper and underlines that the fair has attracted two thousand visitors.

The occupation regime has distributed leaflets and maps in order to
promote its tourism, writes the paper.

AK

[10] Two more Greek Cypriot football players were transferred to a
Turkish Cypriot team

As the paper writes, the players are Stelios Kittos and Michalis Michail.

In statements to the paper, the two players said that they are
professional football players and it is for that reason they changed
their working place and crossed to the "north". The players added that
they have nothing to be afraid for and stated that the Degirmenlik club
has welcomed them very warmly.

AK

[11] Davutoglu met with Cameron; Turkey to fight terrorism and racism
with the UK

Ankara Anadolu news agency (20.01.15) reported that Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday that Turkey and Britain will stand
shoulder-to-shoulder against challenges such as terrorism and racism.

Speaking during a press conference before attending a private meeting with
his British counterpart David Cameron at the British Prime Ministerial
Office, Davutoglu said the following: "The future of our continent now
faces challenges like terrorism, racism and other type of challenges".

Davutoglu also thanked Cameron for U.K's support to Ankara in its EU
accession process.

Cameron said that he had a lot to talk about with Davutoglu and praised
bilateral economic and business ties. "Trade is growing, and investment
in each other's countries is very positive", he added.

Cameron also said that Turkey and Britain should stand together against
Russia during the ongoing crisis in Ukraine's east.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (20.01.15-online in English) reported
that Davutoglu, delivering a speech at the "Merrill Lynch Turkey
Investment Conference" which was organized in London, said that Turkey
has successfully passed all economic and political tests and that it
has proved to be a stable actor in the region and is no longer the
"sick man of Europe".

Davutoglu noted that Turkey is becoming a strong economic player in the
global arena. "The sick man of Europe was a term that referred to the
Ottoman Empire in the 19th century", said Davutoglu highlighting that the
term is now used to refer to Europe instead. He emphasized that Turkey
has become a regional hub and a global actor, and was successfully able to
integrate a stable political vision over the past 10 years. He also added
that Turkey's 2023 goals will be effective in moving the country forward.

An agreement between the London Stock Exchange and the Borsa Istanbul
was also signed in London, which will help to increase the liquidity of
some of the capital market instruments as well as give Turkish investment
funds the ability to compete in global markets.

Speaking at the "Istanbul: Regional Center, Global Actor Forum", organized
by Borsa Istanbul and Turkish Exporters Union, the Turkish Premier said
that the collaboration between Turkey's and the U.K's economies might
be a solution for the European Union.

Drawing attention to the similarities between London and Istanbul in terms
of culture and traditions, Davutoglu said that in order to comprehend the
modern economy, one would have to look at London; in order to comprehend
the traditional economy, one would have to look at Istanbul. "These two
traditions together form the global economy," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu added that when he was in Brussels last week, it became
evident that Europe needs to search for new alternatives such as London
and Istanbul. "Now the East and the West need to unite together. The
European economy can only become integrated and improve itself if both
of these traditions come together," Davutoglu said.

(?)

He also said that in terms of cancelling visa requirements, Turkey's
efforts are important and the country's resources are not based on oil or
natural resources but mostly on human resources. "Our citizens should be
able to travel freely. If they want to travel to Africa then they should
be able to do that," Davutoglu said, stressing that Turkey has signed
visa agreements with more than 65 countries for free access. Moreover,
the Turkish government has plans to create regional centers in Africa
that will be situated between East Asia and Latin America for Africa,
Asia and Europe.

Ankara Anadolu news agency (21.01.15) reports that the European
Parliament's Rapporteur on Turkey's accession has called for opening the
chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights so that urgent reforms can
be implemented in the country.

The Dutch Socialist Kati Piri's draft report on Turkey's progress
regarding its accession into the European Union was discussed at the
European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday.

The report called for the opening of EU's chapter 23 on judiciary and
fundamental rights, and chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security. Piri
said the EU must engage more with Turkey.

The Rapporteur said that she included chapter 23 and 24, whose opening
the EU has long called for, because reforms on the judiciary, fundamental
rights, freedom and security sectors were needed urgently.

The advancement of other chapters on public procurement, competition,
economic and monetary policy, social policy and employment, and foreign,
security and defense policy was also requested in the EU's draft progress
report.

The report also encouraged the advancement of EU visa waiver for Turkish
nationals, and exchange programs for students and academicians.

The report also supported Turkey's solution process and said that
''solving the Kurdish issue in Turkey would positively contribute to
stability and protection of human rights.''

(?)

[13] The Turkish Parliament voted against sending ex-ministers to top
court over graft charges

Turkish daily Sabah (20.01.15-online in English) reported that the Turkish
Parliament general assembly voted on Tuesday against the graft trial for
the two ex-Ministers implicated in corruption investigation in 2013 to
top court.

A secret parliamentary vote has rejected calls for legal proceedings
against former Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and former Interior
Minister Muammer Guler at Turkey's top court in an alleged graft case.

Out of 550 total members, 517 of Turkey's Grand National Assembly
members participated in the secret ballot to decide whether Caglayan
should stand trial at the Constitutional Court, known as the "Yuce Divan".

In the ballot, 242 voted in favor, while 264 voted against sending the
former Minister to court.

Seven Deputies abstained, while three votes were declared invalid and
one vote was left blank.

In the secret ballot concerning Guler, 241 voted in favor, while 258
voted against sending the former Minister to court.

The voting for the other two ex-ministers Erdogan Bayraktar and Egemen
Bagis was expected to last until midnight.

Four former Ministers were targeted in an operation, which was
allegedly orchestrated by the Gulen Movement in an attempt to topple
the government. The group which is believed to have infiltrated the
government's key bodies such as the judiciary and the police is accused
of planning a coup by launching December 17 and December 25 operations
in 2013.

(?)

[14] New bill prepared in Turkey enables Turkish PM and Ministers to
block Internet without a court ruling

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.01.15-online in English) reported
that Turkey's Prime Minister or any of his Ministers will have the right
to block any website without a court ruling for broad reasons such as
"protection of public order," according to a new omnibus bill.

The Prime Ministry and related Ministries will be able to demand that
the Telecommunications Directorate's (TIB) authority to close websites
within four hours on the basis of national security, protecting public
order or preventing crime, according to a last-minute article submitted to
parliament as part of an omnibus bill about foundations and associations.

The TIB will be able to decide to block websites or remove related
content from the Internet in a very short period of time, according to
the bill submitted by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Konya
Deputy Kerim Ozkul. A demand by the Prime Ministry or any Ministry will
be sufficient for the TIB to take urgent decision to block access or
remove Internet content in the name of "protecting the right to life,
protecting people's life and property, national security, public order,
preventing crime, or protecting general health."

Websites will be blocked four hours after the decision is sent by the
TIB to the content providers or hosting provider and will remain closed
until the content is removed.

Another regulation that granted similar rights to the TIB was passed
in parliament on September 10, 2014, sparking protests from Internet
rights groups.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) appealed to the
Constitutional Court on September 15, 2014, to annul the changes,
arguing that they further restricted Internet use in Turkey and
increased the government's control of web traffic. On October 2, 2014,
the Constitutional Court ruled as "unconstitutional" the TIB's authority
to close websites within four hours without a court ruling.

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.01.15) reported that a Dean at
Pamukkale University in western Turkey has resigned after his social
media posting that mocked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "16 warriors,"
symbolic figures standing for 16 states founded by Turks in history,
attracted online reaction.

"Which Turkish principality is this one wearing a bathrobe?" asked
Professor Hasan Herken, the Medical Faculty Dean of Pamukkale, in a
tweet. He later deleted the tweet.

However, Herken apparently failed to delete the post soon enough,
announcing over the weekend that he had resigned. The interpretations of
his post went beyond his intentions, the Dean said in a written statement,
adding that he did not insult "the history or moral values of the nation,
or the President who represents the Turkish state."

(?) Herken elaborated on his resignation during a phone interview on
private broadcaster CNNTurk on January 16, saying his decision was related
to death threats. "They were threatening to tear me apart. There were
threats against my family, too," he said, referring to online reactions.

[16] Turkey and Qatar agree to form cooperation council to enhance
bilateral ties

Cavusoglu and Khalid also discussed agreements on military cooperation.

Addressing a press conference after their official meeting in Doha,
Cavusoglu said: "During the meeting with Foreign Minister Khalid we
decided to establish a joint committee."

"The delegations from both sides will meet in March. In April, another
meeting will be organized at the Foreign Ministers' level", Cavusoglu
said.

Turkey has so far established such cooperation councils with 18 other
countries. Georgia will be the 19th country to join the council.

Cavusoglu also commented on the bilateral trade and economic cooperation
between the two countries.

"The bilateral trade volume is not at the level we wish," he said,
adding that Turkish companies have undertaken important projects, but
Qatar also has its goals for the World Cup (in 2022).

Cavusoglu's visit to Qatar comes just a month after Qatar's intelligence
chief Jassem al-Thani held talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo to
prepare for an upcoming joint summit between the Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Cavusoglu's planned visit to
Yemen on Tuesday was cancelled because of conflicts in the country's
capital Sanaa.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION